Sixth Manager Rejects Tottenham as Levy's Options Continue to Dwindle

Van Gaal is the latest manager to rule himself out of moving to Tottenham

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has become the sixth manager to reject the advances of Tottenham Hotspur after ruling out combining the role at White Hart Lane with his international commitments.

Van Gaal will lead the Dutch national team until the climax of the 2014 World Cup finals before being succeeded by Guus Hiddink and is unwilling to combine a role with Spurs while preparing for Brazil.

"I've always said that I want to work in the Premier League, so there's a chance," Van Gaal admitted.

"But I've also read that Frank de Boer and Guus Hiddink were in the picture. Everyone who knows me knows I won't do two jobs at the same time."

Former England managers Glenn Hoddle and Fabio Capello remain in the frame, while temporary boss Tim Sherwood, who secured his first win of his spell in charge against Southampton, has made no secret over his desire for the role.

Capello was pictured in the crowd during Tottenham's 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, a game which turned out to be Villas-Boas' last contribution as boss after 18 months in north London.

However, the Italian, who has a close relationship with technical director Franco Baldini, is still to be contacted over the position.

Baldini's future at the club is far from certain after reports emerged that chairman Daniel Levy was ready to review his position after the club's haphazard dealings in the summer transfer window.

Sherwood has been placed in temporary charge following the sacking of Villas-Boas and having lost his first game against West Ham United, victory over Southampton makes him the bookmakers' favourite as Levy's search enters a second week.

With candidates continuing to drop out of the running, Levy faces an uphill task to find a viable replacement in order to reignite Tottenham's title challenge.

Victory over Saints puts Spurs within six points of the summit but with games against West Bromwich Albion and Stokes City to come over the Christmas period the club appear unlikely to make an appointment before the New Year.